The staff have always been very nice. The meat is great regardless of what cut you get. Just a great place to celebrate a birthday, especially since if you are celebrating a birthday you get $20 off. read more

Sure, let me pay you for the opportunity to be allowed to cook my own steak, in a restaurant with gross, dirty carpeting, duct tape holding stuff together, and the atmosphere of a bar. Sorry, I'll go to Menard's and buy a grill to cook my own steak at home for 1/2 the price. Also, for the price I expect better quality steak than that. read more

This steak house has a large selection of steaks to chose from. You have the choice to cook it yourself or have them cook it for you. The salad bar is excellent with lots of fresh items to chose from. We were there for New Years Eve with a party of 7. Had a great time. Prices range from $23 and up. read more

I'm sure the steaks are great and well-cut, but my experience was sub-par. I was given the wrong steak, for one, and although I had requested it cooked medium-rare, it came to me more like medium-well. Moreover, the service was lacking, our waiter infrequently visiting, enough that when I had realized the error in my steak, it was over 30 minutes before they next visited our table, by which point I had already given up and begun to eat what I had been given. To make matters slightly worse, the restaurant's interior can best be described as dingy and worn. Low-lighting, with painted walls showing chips and marks from age. There aren't a lot of dedicated, non-chain steakhouses in Bloomington-Normal, but I can honestly say that I prefer Outback to Alexander's. read more

On November 19, 2017 a group of us was decided that Alexander's would be our restaurant of choice to celebrate my husband birthday. The server became short tempered when we request prepackaged items (drinking straws and plastic utensils) etc...somethings need not to be handle with bare hands....Be aware; when our server brought us the first receipt to us toward the end of our meal, it clearly states that we have two option of gratuity, but it never stated that gratuity would be automatically be added to our final bill. My guest and I was leaving a monetary tip as a group, but the server took it upon herself to add the gratuity in our bill. If we didn't take the time to look over our receipt our server would have gotten tipped twice. I have always enjoyed the service at Alexander's, but on this particular night I was very disappointed. read more

Love this place! You roll in and choose the baddest piece of meat you can find in the cooler. After selecting my perfect piece of dead cow (sorry planet), I head over to the massive grill to apply fire. The cooks do a good job, but I know the secret to the perfect steak. Alexander's allows me to flex that muscle and cook my own dinner. Service was great and friendly! Only reason they deserve a 4 is the decor. They should make it look more like the backyard if that was the idea. If you find yourself in Bloomington, this is a must stop. read more

Alexanders Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Seriously underwhelming. Hadn't been for years and was excited to try again. The experience (from the customer service to the food) was mediocre at best. Had reservations but ended up waiting at least 30 minutes at bar. Was full upon arrival but after 10 minutes at bar? Several empty tables...that continued to sit empty while we were told it would be a longer wait. Really? I'm sitting at bar staring at a minimum of 4 empty tables and you can't seat us. Second, had told the hostess we had a birthday guest. Pointed out our group...she said yes, absolutely, we'll let server know. She even repeated, "you're the group over there," I confirmed. Due to long wait for table (even though several were empty) we had about 10 minutes for salad bar which allowed us 1 very quick trip. Btw, no bacon bits at the amazing salad bar. Needless to say, not so amazing. Better salad bars at grocery stores. Placed order. Meal arrived in decent amount of time but the plate lacked any sense of presentation. And for the price, you'd think they could give you more than a tablespoon of cheese and bacon bits for your baked potato. As server came back around to see if we wanted desert, I made a point to mention, um, "we have birthday guest, I told the hostess." (Guest had gone to restroom). Server stated she had not been told that. So, at the end of our meal, in an almost empty restaurant, she came out and did the birthday bell ring. Kinda lacked any special moment as the restaurant was almost empty. We pretty much felt rushed to finish even though they'd seated us way late (as we stared at empty tables while waiting). Food was OK, nothing special. My ribeye, which was supposed to be prepared in garlic butter was flavorless. No salt, no garlic butter flavor. I've made better ribeyes at home for a 3rd of the cost. Overall it was extremely unimpressive. Not sure what happened to this place, but I will not return or recommend. I'm giving 2 stars because it was at least edible but I highly recommend a different steakhouse. This place has went extremely downhill since my last visit. read more

Ummmmm awesome first time here will not be the last. Cook your own giant steak for $30 well worth it had fun was a good cut of meat will be back for sure. Salad Bar old school read more

Here's what I don't understand...How can they call it a restaurant if you have to cook the entire meal yourself? We went to Alexanders for dinner because of the good reviews it received on Yelp. Clearly I should have read the reviews and not skimmed them. The place is VERY LOUD because of the grill in the center of the room. Our waiter explained the concept and when we ordered steaks, he pointed to the refrigerator and said, "everything is over there. Go ahead." We had to cook our own steaks, bread, and make our own salad. To add insult to injury, the waiter didn't know the difference between Zinfandel and White Zinfandel and brought me the wrong wine twice. To sum it all up, I'm clearly not a fan. The service was poor, this place is very old, and even if I could get past the cooking your own thing, I should at least get a discount for it. But this place is pretty expensive. read more

Traveling on business. Salad bar, excellent, baked potato excellent, steak came out a little under cooked, waitress took back to grill and brought it back cooked to perfection. Could not ask for better waitress, excellent customer service. read more

I would of given this one star except the bartender who was also our waiter really was trying his best on a bad night. I understand people call in or dont show up and that wrecks an evening by leaving you short staffed but overall the experience was pretty terrible. I have been going to Alexanders for over ten years and usually hit the Peoria one bc it is way nicer and better staffed but last night we were in Normal and thought we'd try this one out one more time. We should of left when we walked in the door and a female waitress was dressing down the hostess and being exceptionally rude to her for seating tables to quickly. We then waited waited 30 minutes for a table which wasnt a big deal bc we had time to burn. Our waiter started of by apologizing and telling us he was also the bartender and they were extremely understaffed. There were only about 30 people in the restaurant and there were three waitresses plus the bartender. At a place where you cook your own stakes and theres a huge salad bar Im not sure what the deal was. So long story short. Our steaks were all terrible as the meat tasted rancid and made my wife and daughter sick. The salad bar was filthy and the plates had food spot on them. The drinks we ordered never came so i just went to the bar and carried them myself over to the table. We ordered steak fries with our filets and they were cold. And that end of the meal bc it was my birthday I got a piece of key lime pie, I should of taken a picture of it and posted it. It was clearly several days or weeeks old. It was clotted and brown and was watery. I didnt even taste it. Im not sure anyone would have it looked that bad. We just finally said screw it and went and got salad bar on our own and I would of cooked my own steaks for my wife and kids but it was my birthday dang it. The one night a year I should get a steak that I dont have to grill. Well i wish i would of. The medium I ordered was blue and the medium well the kids got was well, while the well done my wife like was burnt shoe leather. Normally i would never be rude and politely let the server know the steaks weren't right but it was suck a freaking train wreck in there we just wanted to get the hell out of there before the place exploded. I was also really disappointed in the over lack of cleanliness of the restaurant. I would definitely steer clear of this one unless your desperate. Not a good experience the last three times Ive been. We will not be going back. read more

Adding raw briquettes to keep the pit going is a huge mistake. Briquettes consist primarily of anthracite and clay, with some wood mulch thrown in. When it first lights, the coal burns off and gives off a petroleum-like odor which gets into the food if you don't let the coals burn to gray first. You wouldn't cook a steak that way on your patio, so why do it where you're paying someone else so you can cook your own dinner? That said, I can't complain about the quality of the meat. I picked out a nice thick sirloin, and it came out tender and juicy (but petroleum-flavored, unfortunately). Kudos to the chef. Thank you, thank you, you're too kind. read more

Alexander's is a staple in B/N...that being said....I wish they were more consistent. I do not eat meat, but do eat fish....their fish selection is limited, which is okay. It just isn't always good :( Dry, fishy, and just overcooked almost all of the time. The salad bar is the best in town....real ingredients, homemade dressings- always great!! read more

Awesome salad bar and pineapple is the bomb. Skillet cookie is the best dessert I've ever had. The Sirloin was also the bomb

A good steak house. You can either cook the steak yourself on one of their large charcoal grills - or they will cook it for you. I had the Filet - and it was an excellent cut of meat. Cooked it medium and it melted in my mouth when I ate it. Also tried and enjoyed their fried mushrooms. It comes with a salad bar - a good, basic salad bar. read more

I'm from Bloomington-Normal but recently returned to Alexander's with my family while visiting. I wasn't impressed at all. My family really loves this place and their steaks so I'll give them that. I ordered fish and it was rubbery and gross (I know...I'm at a steak house) but I still think a steak house can work harder at their other entrees. The salad bar is pretty impressive and the lettuce/spinach was fresh. Overall, I think I would choose somewhere else to eat if it was my choice. read more

Just finished eating at Alexander's, if you want good costumer service on the manager side of things don't go there. My steak was dropped on the floor, recooked too quickly and was raw. When bringing it up the server offered to talk to a manager about it and came back saying all they could do was give us a free desert. The manager wouldn't even show their face, and refused to take it off our meal. For a steakhouse it's mediocre, if you want a good steak don't go here. read more

We chose this restaurant due to menu and reviews as we were traveling from Atlanta to MN. We needed a menu that would be safe from Covid threats. This was a disgrace. They serve "fried calamari" that is clearly NOT calamari. They had a salad bar which is not a good idea with covid. They could easily serve salads that are refrigerated properly and that do not have multiple people having access to them. We ordered filet mignon which was a terrible quality-I questioned what cut it was. The staff was well-chosen: they were diligent. This chain CAN correct these issues. read more

The best salad bar in town - which isn't saying much. Everytime we go - the waiter/waitress tells us something different. This drink is no longer available. They no longer have those on the salad bar - they were messy??? Then 5 minutes later, oh yes, they do have them, they forgot to put them out. So they apparently make up stories so they sound like they know what the hell is going on in their establishment.. The previous manager made it a great place to visit - made everyone feel important when they came in. Now - the place is very cold - mostly new people - a few long timers still waiting there, but mostly it's nothing special any more. I don't like cooking my own food, I think that's crazy for the prices you pay there and if you want them to - you pay an upcharge of $2.50 on top of the already outrageous pricing. I still visit for the salad bar - but it's not one of my favorites anymore. Someone else said it's rundown looking - very true! Ownership should adjust the pricing, offer some other veggies besides potatoes and Wonder bread for those that don't do carbs, spiff the place up and make better drinks at the bar. Their management change was a huge mistake as far as I can tell. I have yet to meet or see the new guy. read more

I've been to Alexander's a half a dozen times. On two occasions my steak was average at best. All other times the steaks have been great. I usually have them prepare it for me as I'd rather have a pro cook a fine cut of meat that have myself possibly mess it up. Great salad bar too. Usually has you stuffed full by the time your food arrives. Nice staff. read more

My co-workers and I went to Alexander's Steakhouse for our holiday party on Saturday evening. We all arrived at our tables at 5:00pm. Everything started out great with the appetizers (onion straws and calamari) being excellent. I'm afraid it went downhill from there however. Service was absolutely snail-like. Our orders were not placed until 6:15 or so and we didn't receive our food until around 7:00pm. We sat in the restaurant for 2 hours before getting our orders. I had the shrimp with sweet potato fries. The presentation of the food was very poor, as if it had just been thrown on the plate. The shrimp were good but the fries were in no way warm. I'm assuming it sat out while the steaks were being prepared. The salad bar was fine, but the lettuce was all in huge chunks, like you were eating a wedge salad. It needed to be shredded more. Overall, this was a miss on the restaurants part. There are some many more tastier options in town for half the price. It's not worth returning. read more

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The worst experience caused by the manager who was racist and unprofessional. Not only we were told by a waiter " these fucking kids" but the manager himself threatened us bc he thought we didnt tip the waitress, which we did btw $50. I will never enter this place again for being unethical and unprofessional read more

My wife took me to an Alexander's years ago, and I wasn't quite hip to the fact that I had to cook my own food. But after the all was said and done, it's one of my favorite places to go. Being able to stand around the grill with family and friends, is a big part of the ambiance of this place. To round out the experience, they have an excellent protein selection! Something that would suit everyone. I've seen a lot of other posts about the prices here, but for me they are right in line with what they offer. Staff is friendly and knowledgable, and a relaxing atmosphere. read more

Alexanders Steakhouse - 24 oz. Porterhouse Steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Normal, Illinois

An excellent meal tonight. The staff was great, the prices we good and you can't beat their meat! We were a group of three and were greeted at the door by the manager who has grown to know us as somewhat regulars. The salad bar was stocked well and the selection of steaks were great! I suggest this restaurant to everyone! read more

Go somewhere else for stakes, the salad bar is lacking and typically looks stale. The stakes are fine, fish is typically a no go.

Great salad bar and wonderful steaks. You can have some fun with friends while cooking or sit back and relax and have your food prepared for you. On Sundays kids eat free and the kids kabobs are excellent and is more than enough for a child. read more

Great food, but the place is getting a bit run down. I remember back when they first opened, this was the place to go. Now.....it is still very good food, but not so much of a desirable place to go into. I love the concept of cook your own as it give you a bit of a change of pace if you are with a social croud and want to change it up a bit. Great steaks, ok service, not so great atmosphere. read more

The salad bar and steak was great.. not so happy with the service though. If you are getting the early-bird special be sure to ask where to get it. Our ticket was also messed up and after one attempt to fix it, we just figured out the correct amount amongst our group of 4. I think I would go back, but just for the food! And I will cook my steak for longer.. read more

Excellent steakhouse you can either cook it yourself over the charcoal grill or the cooks will cook it for you excellent choice for groups. read more

Alexanders Steakhouse - Ribeye just off of grill. Yummy cook your own or they cook it. - Steakhouses Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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I wish I could give it less then one star. My family came in for a birthday and we didn't realize they were closing in 45 mins. Upon arriving servers came up to the host stand to stare at us rudely, and the host was hesitant to seat us. We finally sat down and our server came over very unhappy saying that the restaurant closes in 45 mins and that some people take forever to start cooking their meal, and that she didn't want to be their all night. I work in the food industry and if I asked guests to leave I would be terminated on the spot. We truly had no idea and expressed how sorry we were, the birthday boy even offered to go to another restaurant. We ended up getting steaks on the grill right away because we're understanding and wanted to still eat but be courteous to our server. Service was awful we were hardly checked on or drinks refilled and received a dirty look from everyone in the restaurant. As employees, you don't pick when the establishment stops serving food. Never experienced more unprofessionalism in my entire life. read more

Subpar steak at high $$. Would not go here again. Steak had no flavor. Service average. When you go to a restaurant you want someone else to cook the meal. Here you cook it yourself. read more

Wish they had a 1/2 star rating, I would have given Alexander's a 3.5. To me the price of cook your own is a bit cashey. If it's a group I think it's a very good idea but to cook your own.....Meh....not for me. Steaks are good quality, salad bar is well appointed and clean, but pricy for what you get. read more

I'm sorry, I just can't get over paying restaurant prices to cook the same steak I could have got from the store for like six bucks. That's right, for those of you that have never been here, YOU COOK YOUR FOOD YOURSELF. There is an option to have them cook it for you, but they charge extra. There's no reason to go here when there are plenty of other restaurants in town that offer the same quality food for the same price but those restaurants actually wait on you, instead of making you work. read more

The steaks and her potato were very good. Delicious taste, good quality. And you pay for good steak prices, which is no biggie if you go to this place knowing that it's an upscale priced steak place. The service, though, was just at a perfunctory level of interaction - which is probably what led to them confusing her request for a lemon drop martini for a lemon drop shot. He did check back a few times during the meal, so we weren't ignored, but we really didn't feel like we were any more than the current table turn. The best example of the type of service came at the end of the night - the end of our evening was capped with him dropping off the tab with, "Total and sign." No, "thank you", no "have a good night" - just, "Total and sign." For $77 pre-tax, I expect a little more than what's your order and "Total and sign." read more

This place is a dissapointment and inconsistent. I've been there a few times now and sometimes gotten a great steak, sometimes not so great (I always let them cook it. Just my personal choice). The atmosphere is run down, and based off of another review, does remind me of a gas station. The salad bar reminds me of one you can get at Golden Corral or any other cheap American food place. There's not even a spinch selection. The dressings aren't bad if you like thick, creamy style dressing. There also is a full bar with a decent beer menu, but a very lacking wine menu. Basically, I feel that this place is way overpriced for the food, atmosphere, and service. I can get a better, and more consistent steak meal with more choices for sides at a place like Logan's Roadhouse. read more

Great food and service. Always a treat to come here. Best salad bar in this area for sure.

My co workers and I went here last night and the steaks were great. I don't usually post reviews but I couldn't understand why the stars were so low. Place is not very fancy, but all the food was very good. read more

very disappointed.. been going here for years for my birthday 46 this year and others birthdays was special to me bc mom used to take me and she passed away few months ago. we had reservations for 9 at 630pm. we arrived on time was seated promptly. then nobody ever came back. for 15 mins nothing.. we 5 of use started staring and made eye contact with even managment.. nothing.. no water no hey be right with you.. nothing. for 30 minutes... nothing. got up to leave. hostess and a watress that walked by us NUMEROUS times looked dumbfounded at hostess station.. a manager came up said sorry.. we didn't know you were here. REALLY !! you seated us. we all were staring at you for at lest 15 mins.a waitressat next table was there at there table 5 times nothing said to us. horrible service left and went to Texas road house for 9 in 30 mins seated. in 10 mins drinks and with in 30 mins appetizers delivered 20 mins later our food.. spent our money elsewhere and they lost a $600 bill and damn good tip.. read more

This place was OK, but I must admit that I don't quite get the appeal of paying to go out and cook my own steak. To each their own, but my idea of eating out means getting someone else to prepare something better then I could. As such, I coughed up the extra $2 for them to cook my dinner for me. It was decent and tasty, but nothing out of this world. read more

Great place for groups! Stand around the grill cooking steaks or pay an extra $2 to have it cooked for you. I would recommend cooking your own, even if it's not something you do usually. I had someone cook mine and my girlfriend's the first time I went there and they switched our orders (well-done on my filet and medium on her kabob). All you can eat salad bar looks a bit cafeteria, but is pretty tasty. You choose your meat from a fridge. I recommend the teriyaki seasoned steaks. Servers can be a bit flighty because they cover fairly large areas - may have to flag one down. They serve Pepsi products (and Mountain Dew, which I love). read more